PLUM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | ONE MINUTE READ
Plum Senior High School freshmen participated in training that led to certification to become a type of first responder in life-threatening situations with the Stop the Bleed initiative. The District will be the first in the country to certify all of its high school students, faculty, and staff by 2023.
Stop the Bleed is a nationwide campaign founded by the American College of Surgeons, the Committee on Trauma, and the Hartford Consensus following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. The campaign empowers civilians to administer life-saving techniques to severely bleeding people in close proximity to them.
Stop the Bleed training teaches basic techniques in bleeding control such as applying direct pressure, packing pressure, and tourniquet use. Students practice these techniques as part of different scenarios presented by instructors.
The Plum school system decided to integrate Stop the Bleed into the health courses at the high school because there has been a steady decline in the number of ambulance response personnel. The decrease in resources has raised response times to almost 13 minutes nationwide. It only takes three to five minutes for a person in need to bleed out.
Certification classes are held in the Plum Senior High School gymnasium and are led by Certified Stop the Bleed Instructor, Plum Borough School District Officer Michael Netzloff. Associate instructors include PBSD Officer Joe Locke and high school health and physical education teachers, Mrs. Jessica Boynton and Mr. Sean Oglesby. High school wrestling coach, Mr. Michael Supak provides equipment for each session.
Officer Netzloff says, “Students that go through the certification will be able to learn the foundational skills that can help save a life. Students will learn how to apply quick and easy steps to help a friend or neighbor. These are skills that can be used throughout a lifetime.”
For more information on Stop the Bleed, visit here: https://www.stopthebleed.org